I caught a bad year and struck out. But this year? I mean I don't have exact numbers but if you wanted it, didn't look like an idiot at the interview, and didn't finish at the absolute bottom, you most likely got it. I'd be willing to bet 60% or better.

Assuming Columbia/NYU don't fall prey to the market conditions, the consensus here is that for BigLaw in the class of 2014, you need to be in the top 5% at Fordham, and at NYU/Columbia, unless you're drunk at every final exam, you're almost guaranteed?

Does this take into account the chances that Fordham gives you to gain real life legal experience as opposed to the other schools? Does BigLaw only care about grades?

rickynwhyc wrote:Assuming Columbia/NYU don't fall prey to the market conditions, the consensus here is that for BigLaw in the class of 2014, you need to be in the top 5% at Fordham, and at NYU/Columbia, unless you're drunk at every final exam, you're almost guaranteed?

Does this take into account the chances that Fordham gives you to gain real life legal experience as opposed to the other schools? Does BigLaw only care about grades?

not a chance to the NYU/Columbia suggestion...did you read columbia law's post

I caught a bad year and struck out. But this year? I mean I don't have exact numbers but if you wanted it, didn't look like an idiot at the interview, and didn't finish at the absolute bottom, you most likely got it. I'd be willing to bet 60% or better.

Yes that's what I was going on. It seems I misinterpreted the last sentence. He meant 60% if you fulfilled all those obligations? Ok. Well, that still beats the hell out of Fordham's odds ;/

well the disparity b/w placement at NYU/Columbia v. Fordham is not any secret/not anything that people will argue over....it is big, and the long history of the differences in ranking b/w the schools clearly explains that...but i do think you need to keep a few things in mind with this...

1.) Columbia Law is a clear fordham-hater. i think its fair to say he's never said a positive thing about the school2.) His, along with everyone else's guesses are just that...they are guesses (I dont say this to make you think that 40% at fordham will ever again get big law, but i think you get my point)3.) Someone said it in another thread yesterday, but I think there is a huge misunderstanding about % of placement grads at big law firms. If the figure is 40%, that means that 40% of grads have big law jobs, not that top 40% have big law jobs. i know several people at fordham who are top 1/3 roughly who have jobs, and i know plenty of people who are top 10% that dont have jobs. i think this goes to the crux of the point of this post in the first place. is fordham worth sticker? for someone straight out of undergrad, with no savings, no work experience, and no real understanding of what $100k+ debt is? probably not. but for someone who has reasonable expectations, possibly some family financial help, and has the understanding of what debt is, then i think i'm comfortable saying that it is worth it. you need to understand that fordham gives out very little aid, so one way or another, you're likely going to be paying close to sticker in any event.